AIHP Mourns the Passing of Long-Time Treasurer Louis Vottero

We are sad to report that Louis (Lou) Vottero, who served as AIHP’s Treasurer for more than 30 years, died on September 12, 2020, at his home in St. Andrews, New Brunswick, Canada. He was 87.

AIHP’s President, W. Clarke Ridgway, paid tribute to Professor Vottero for his many contributions to the Institute:  “Lou worked tirelessly for the Institute and should be credited with establishing the financial foundation that has enabled AIHP to weather many financial storms.” President Ridgway added:  “He vigorously defended his opinions on many issues of importance to the Institute, particularly on those impacting  practitioner members. He also had a passion for the education of future pharmacists in helping them develop a professional ethos.”

Professor Vottero received his undergraduate training in pharmacy at Duquesne University and earned an MS in pharmaceutical chemistry and pharmaceutics from The Ohio State University. Following his service in the US Army, he practiced community pharmacy in Pennsylvania and Ohio before joining the faculty of the College of Pharmacy at Ohio Northern University, in Ada, Ohio, 1966. He remained an active member of the faculty of that institution until his retirement.

Professor Vottero became a member of AIHP in 1967. He was elected as AIHP’s Treasurer on 1979 and held that position until 2010.

While serving as the Institute’s Treasurer, Professor Vottero was instrumental in AIHP’s receipt of a $1.2 million bequest in 1983 from the estate of Robert Fischelis, a leader of the pharmacy profession who had been the Dean of the College of Pharmacy at Ohio Northern  University when Professor Vottero joined its faculty. Mr. Fischelis had previously served in executive positions (including President ) at the American Pharmacists Association.

The bequest remains the single largest financial contribution the Institute has ever received. The corpus of the bequest remains largely intact and continues to generate annual income in excess of $50,000 to support the Institute’s programs and operations.

Later, Professor Vottero spearheaded efforts to establish AIHP’s Pharmacy Education Fund, which remains an important source of funding today.

For his many contributions to AIHP, the Institute’s Board of Directors awarded him the AIHP Robert P. Fischelis Award in 2016.

Professor Vottero co-authored two textbooks on professional ethics in the practice of pharmacy. His co-author was his friend and colleague, Robert Buerki, PhD, a former President of AIHP and its current Secretary. 

AIHP extends its condolences to his wife, Barbara, and their four sons. Please read his full obituary.